One of the key aims of the 202020 Vision over the coming year is to build closer relationships with urban councils and a better understanding of their long and short-term plans for greenspace, which will allow nurseries to better plan to supply their needs.

The latest meeting saw more than 28 representatives from Perth metropolitan councils and the 202020 Vision team come together to discuss current and future urban greening plans across WA.

With local governments often requiring large quantities of trees and plants – and often mature and advanced trees – there’s a need for clearer, more consistent communication with councils.

More broadly, a key focus of this meeting was building greater support and coordination for urban forestry efforts in the Perth metropolitan region, which is already making progress, and to encourage network members in Perth to help identify opportunities to expand urban forestry efforts right across the state.

Jess Miller from the Republic of Everyone – the agency delivering the 202020 Vision project – updated the group with highlights of plans and opportunities for 2016-17:

Where Should all the Trees Go? A next generation report that follows ‘Where are all the trees?’ to showcase the biggest opportunities for urban forestry.

The Metropolitan Urban Forestry Pilot being undertaken in conjunction with the Rockefeller Resilient Cities 100 program and Nature Conservancy Foundation.

The National Urban Forestry Index and the strategic objectives to reprioritise urban forestry on the national agenda.

Ian Hunter, Manager Parks and Reserves in the City of Sterling, also presented to the group on the challenges facing Park Managers in WA, and identified opportunities to collaborate with allied industry stakeholders.

Mr Hunter outlined five key elements impacting on the development of urban forests in the Perth metro area:

Awareness regarding trees

Development process on private trees

Street and reserve trees

Lack of consistency of urban forest approach

Lack of local government funding

The Perth meeting is just one of those planned over coming months, as 202020 Vision works to understand the barriers to increasing urban greenspace, and to highlight the importance of urban forests to health and well-being; productivity; urban cooling; reduction in pollution; and cleaner air.